Social - November 2003

Charity hits home in benefit for brothers

By DIANE TURBYFILL, Staff Writer

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VALE — The music thumps through the speakers of the tape player cueing the little ones to start their march.

A procession of infants, toddlers, preschoolers and parents parade through Mary Vale Daycare School. The 200 people aren’t celebrating Christmas, but they are giving a gift.

The daycare recently hosted Tracks for Twins, an event to raise money for Barrett and Parker Gragg. The six-month-old twins suffer from deformation plagiocephaly, a condition caused by positioning in the womb that results in misshapen heads, lack of balance and week neck muscles.

Doctors told the twins’ parents, Amy and Rodney Gragg, that medical bands would need to be placed on their heads to correct the condition. Each would need two bands at a cost of $3,000 each — a total of $12,000.

The Graggs have insurance, but the treatment exceeds their coverage.

When the sisters at Mary Vale heard about the financial strain the family was under, they wanted to help.

“We have raised money for St. Judes Hospital before, but these twins are in our own school,” said Sister Mary Francis.

The nuns started fundraising and publicizing the event. They printed Tracks for Twins shirts for the more than 100 children who attend the daycare.

“It’s just been out of this world,” said Amy Gragg. “People I don’t even know have gone above and beyond.”

The event began on a rainy Tuesday morning, Nov. 18. The parking lot on June Bug Road was filled to capacity. Parents stood cameras in one hand, and children’s hands in another.

“As we march let us always remember that we are all God’s children, and we’re marching for love and peace,” Sister Mary Michael said to the children.

The procession marched through three buildings, weaving around tables and playground equipment.

When the music stopped, the $12,000 goal had been surpassed. The sisters raised $14,320.

“People are so generous,” said Sister Mary Francis. “There’s a lot of good going on in the world.”

The medical bands have been paid for, and the sisters plan to hold the extra money for bills and expenses the Graggs acquire during treatment.

Amy Gragg said there are numerous trips to the doctor, not including visits to the specialist that will begin in January.

All the treatment and expense will be worth the effort when her children can roll over and sit up like other infants their age, she said.

The twins seem to be adjusting to their new headgear pretty well, Amy Gragg said.

“They just look at each other like ‘What’s on your head?’” she said.

The sisters feel a sense of accomplishment and service in achieving their goal. The spirit of giving is alive and well at Mary Vale.

“We tried to help two children and by helping the children we were helping each other,” Sister Mary Francis said.

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

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